Bed Liners

BigJayDogg3 · June 15, 2008

This is something that is commonly talked about on here now, and since this isn't going to be something I'm planning on purchasing in the near future, I'm putting it in the off topic section. Now, while this is meant to be a debate, this isn't a bashing session, so if that is what you are here for please GTFO now.

Let's just make two things givens: virtually ANY bed liner is better than no bed liner at all, and price isn't a factor.

Sonjaab has raised a point in the bed liner debate, the fact that with a spray in bed liner, you still run a higher risk of denting the bed than with a drop in bed liner. But, with a drop in bed liner, when it comes time to take it out, some of the rubbing that has occurred from the liner moving from daily use, and from taking it out can rub some of the paint off the bed.

What I was thinking is if you spray the bed then drop in a liner, you could have the utility of a drop in, with the rub protection of a spray in. And if you just don't like the look of a drop in liner, you can just keep taking the drop in out and putting it back in without any detriment to the bed since you have the spray in.

OK now please point out any and all flaws in my logic.

Chestah · June 15, 2008

I would much rather a spray in liner than a plastic one. Both of them doesn't make sense. The inside of the bed really doesn't have to be showroom condition. If it is that should make you rethink why you are paying the extra $40 at the pump every fillup.

dietz4ibanez · June 15, 2008

here we go again...

Woodcutter · June 15, 2008

But, with a drop in bed liner, when it comes time to take it out, some of the rubbing that has occurred from the liner moving from daily use, and from taking it out can rub some of the paint off the bed.

My logic: don't leave the drop-in liner out and nothing will rust. It will rub, but it won't rust until a few days after it's been removed.

geektoad · June 15, 2008

But, with a drop in bed liner, when it comes time to take it out, some of the rubbing that has occurred from the liner moving from daily use, and from taking it out can rub some of the paint off the bed.

My logic: don't leave the drop-in liner out and nothing will rust. It will rub, but it won't rust until a few days after it's been removed.

that assues a perfect seal where no water or air gets in. That's just not true. it will rust where the paint is rubbed off.

BigJayDogg3 · June 15, 2008

here we go again...

It isn't supposed to be an argument. Just weighing the pros and cons of

each against each other. And while I may not necessarily need a show room quality bed, when I resell, the person looking to buy may. And honestly if given a choice between looking good and looking ratty. If all other factors remain the same, which would you rather?

cev103 · June 15, 2008

I know from my past experiences that I prefer the spray-in type of bed-liner. I’ve owned five trucks and each had a bed-liner. The first two had drop-ins and the past three have had spray-in.

Basically I didn’t like the drop-in because of the rubbing issues plus I thought it looked cheap. The spray-in is more money upfront, but it has a nice clean look to it……plus you can have it sprayed over the bed rails for extra protection. I know the drop-in can go over the rail as well, but the plastic over the rails warps in high temps and it looks like crap, and they can cover up your post holes.

But, even if you go the spray-in route, you then still have to decide which brand to get. Price wise they are comparable, but quality and thickness play a big role. Some spray-in products come with a Lifetime warranty against peeling or cracking and they will re-spray/fix it if this happens. My first spray-in was a Rhino-Liner which I like much better than the drop-in IMO, but it had a rubbery consistency and seemed like it could peel /cut into more easily unlike the Line-X that I currently have. The Line-X just seems to be more durable than the others IMO.

If you choose the spray in option, I would check out Line-X, ArmorThane, and Rhino Liners web sites (these seem to be the most popular in my area), and make a decision after comparing the different info.

VMax2007 · June 15, 2008

Easy. If you use your bed for hauling stuff that will dent it, then get a drop-in. Otherwise just get whichever one you prefer.

I prefer a spray-in because I like the looks of them and I don't haul big-ass boulders or anything that will dent the crap out of it. Drop-in may provide better dent protection, but they warp and look like crap IMO.

Both are good and will protect your bed and make resale better. If you want optimum dent protection, then just get a drop-in and when it's time to sell, pull it out and have it sprayed, although I doubt you will re-coup these costs in resale value.

Darkanion · June 15, 2008

OK now please point out any and all flaws in my logic.

Getting both a spray-in and a drop-in, just doesn't sound "logical" to me. Do one or the other, but not both.

And while I may not necessarily need a show room quality bed, when I resell, the person looking to buy may. And honestly if given a choice between looking good and looking ratty. If all other factors remain the same, which would you rather?

If they're looking for showroom new, they should go buy a showroom new truck. Would I prefer the cleaner / neater looking one? Of course. But, if it's a TRUCK and you're buying it USED, then there should be some expectation for scratches (at the very least) in the bed. From what I've seen, it's not like GM adds any extra paint protection or anything IN the bed to prevent scratches, etc.

Easy. If you use your bed for hauling stuff that will dent it, then get a drop-in. Otherwise just get whichever one you prefer.

I prefer a spray-in because I like the looks of them and I don't haul big-ass boulders or anything that will dent the crap out of it. Drop-in may provide better dent protection, but they warp and look like crap IMO.

Both are good and will protect your bed and make resale better. If you want optimum dent protection, then just get a drop-in and when it's time to sell, pull it out and have it sprayed, although I doubt you will re-coup these costs in resale value.

I thought the spray-ins were supposed to be better at preventing dents than the drop-ins, since they are a hardened whatever-it-is-they're-made-of...? I don't see how a (relatively) thin plastic drop-in that is flexible enough to BEND, so you can INSTALL it is actually goting to prevent dents. Seems to me all the drop-in would do is cover up the dents, not actually prevent them...?

2000DV4.8 · June 15, 2008

I thought the spray-ins were supposed to be better at preventing dents than the drop-ins, since they are a hardened whatever-it-is-they're-made-of...? I don't see how a (relatively) thin plastic drop-in that is flexible enough to BEND, so you can INSTALL it is actually goting to prevent dents. Seems to me all the drop-in would do is cover up the dents, not actually prevent them...?

It's not as thin as you think. The plastic is about 1/4" thick, and with all the ribs running along the length of the bed, it is extremely rigid. The sides and front of the liner also do not actually contact the walls of the bed, so any small amount of flex won't actually be transferred to the walls of the bed.

ajcain79 · June 15, 2008

FWIW, when I was at the Line-X shop they had an empty soda can coated with Line-X and no matter how hard I squeezed it, I could barley get it to flex. Let alone dent the can. Keep in mind that this was a flimsy aluminum can. So, I feel that the Line-X will offer more than enough dent protection for my truck.

geektoad · June 15, 2008

I'll add this as i'm about to do it myself:

I have a spray-in liner, and i plan to literally haul a bunch of "big-ass boulders" next weekend. to save the bed from that one-time abuse, i'll be putting a plywood base on the bottom to keep from denting it when we put them in. This would be a silly solution if i did that kind of stuf all the time, but for the occasional abuse there are ways to proctect the bed if need be.